Rahul, UP minister in verbal spat at Raebareli meet 

A high-level review meeting of key central schemes here saw a heated exchange between Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Uttar Pradesh Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh after the latter was told that members must seek the chair's permission before speaking.

A video of the exchange at the September 11 meeting went viral on social media on Friday. The incident occurred during the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting held at the Collectorate's Bachat Bhawan. Amethi MP and DISHA co-chairperson Kishori Lal Sharma, several MLAs and block chiefs were also present at the meeting.

Sharma said the confrontation arose when Singh began directly questioning officials. "In DISHA meetings, members must seek the chair's permission before speaking. I reminded him of this procedure, just as all questions in the Lok Sabha are addressed through the Speaker," Sharma said.

A minister should know parliamentary etiquette, he said, adding, "The Chief Minister should take note of such conduct. What message does it send about cabinet discipline?" Meanwhile, Singh, the minister of state (independent charge) for horticulture, posted a lengthy statement on social media in response to a viral photograph of Gandhi shaking hands with his son, also a local block chief.

Singh alleged that Congress supporters circulated the image to troll him. "My son should not have merely shaken hands but touched Rahul Gandhi's feet as a mark of respect since he is my age," he said.

The minister claimed that he stood up and greeted Rahul, but "he did not shake hands with me". Calling for "an end to the controversy", Singh wrote, "Let us move forward in 'apni apni disha' (our own directions)." -- PTI